AnPeter90 Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Hmmm...I wondered how the rest of you lyricists addressed this one. Often, when I write a song, people ask me whether it is autobiographical and rarely believe me if I say it isn't, even when it genuinely is not. Yet to an extent everything I write has my own perspective in it even if it is not actually written from my own experience. So, when I am writing I have to bear in mind that some people listen very carefully to the lyrics and will read all kinds of things into them that may or may not be there. This has led me to be a bit cautious in how I write: I mean, I don't want to bare my soul so much that people assume they know everything about me and my relationships or reveal things I want to keep to myself. Does anyone else have this dilemma about what to put in and what to leave out, or do you just say 'what the hell'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishyfry Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 I'm not a particularly good songwriter, and in fact I haven't let any of this forum in on the pop stuff I write, but here's how I approach writing lyrics. Find the emotional center of whatever story or idea you're trying to express, and choose the words that best and most honestly express that. Personally, I don't really think much about how revealing the words are. I would say write in any details that enhance or clarify the emotional impact of what you're trying to convey, and leave out anything that doesn't seem relevant to your point. I don't think there's really anything you can do to stop some people from speculating over the meaning of your songs. Ultimately, I think it's best not to worry about what others will think, and just be as honest to your thoughts and feelings as you can. If there's anything you really feel you need to keep a secret, there's no need to expose it in a song until you're ready to share it. I hope that's helpful in some way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pateceramics Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 (edited) 12 hours ago, AnPeter90 said: "Often, when I write a song, people ask me whether it is autobiographical and rarely believe me if I say it isn't, even when it genuinely is not... So, when I am writing I have to bear in mind that some people listen very carefully to the lyrics and will read all kinds of things into them that may or may not be there. This has led me to be a bit cautious in how I write..." These people are being a bit dense. I suspect this means they don't read many novels, or they'd be familiar with the idea of making stuff up to tell a story. On the other hand, with pop music in particular, so much of it is carefully crafted to enhance the branded, managed, persona of a pop star, it mimics autobiography, even if it's not true. Think rappers singing about tough neighborhoods to improve their street cred, when actually they came from loving families in the suburbs and took Suzuki violin, or Justin Beiber singing about getting his heart broken, because his fans like to think he is sensitive and vulnerable, when actually girls have been flashing their boobs at him since he was 10 and he has no time to have a girlfriend anyway, because he is always on a plane, or working with his voice coach, or sitting in wardrobe getting his hair done. None of these people are singing about dragons, so we can pretend the lyrics are autobiographical if we don't think about it too hard. The other thing that may be happening, is that these people don't know how to write something that's not drawn from their own personal experience themselves, or at least have never tried to write something like that. It seems like such a magical talent to have, to make up stories out of thin air, that while they can picture their favorite authors or musicians doing it, (people who are a little magical and unreal themselves), they can't picture anyone they actually know doing it. Definitely not someone they had gym with in 6th grade. But don't let it bother you too much. Don't share with people who are annoying about it. Remember that people are constantly reading all sorts of things into your actions, that aren't actually true. Into your words. Into the way you dress. Into who you talk to or don't talk to. It's not limited to your music. Some people just like to spend their time wondering if the people around them have fascinating secret drama going on all the time. These people are ALWAYS going to be like that, but they are scrutinizing everyone around them, not just you. Just keep writing and try not to think about it. If it's a problem because you are giving concerts, maybe you could introduce songs by telling what they are about and how the idea came to you. "So, I was watching the news and Donald Trump's youngest son was standing there behind his parents, and he just looked so uncomfortable, and neither of them seemed to notice he was even in the room, and I wondered what it must be like to be someone like him, and I wrote this song to try to think it all through." Edited January 20, 2017 by johnbucket Cleanup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken320 Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 I am writing a piece now told from the point of view of a ghost. What the heck do I know about ghosts? Absolutely nothing. It's all made up. People can infer all kinds of things. Just remember to be fearless, and to try to write lyrics that cannot be redacted or embellished without spoiling your original intent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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